Pesky leaks on the International Space Station aren’t the most serious issue facing U.S. human spaceflight In the hostile conditions beyond Earth, a spacecraft is all that stands between an astronaut and certain death.

The first wood-panel satellite is on a SpaceX flight to the International Space Station, where it will test the durability of wood in space.

Space has a major sustainability problem. When satellites made mostly of aluminum die fall back down to earth, they combust and create harmful chemicals called aluminum oxides, which can damage the ozone layer.

The world’s first wooden satellite has arrived. Stashed among three tons of cargo, this humble-looking satellite holds the promise of tackling one of space exploration’s most pressing problems: debris.

As part of a resupply mission to the International Space Station, the world's first wooden satellite is expected to burn up when the device re-enters the atmosphere.